Carton and blank therefor



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I l I I I l l I I l R. J. HICKlN CARTON AND BLANKTHEREFOR Dec. 28, 1965 Filed Nov. 29, 1963 j 5 FL, I); Q a w m 5INVENTOR. QM I #brz/ Dec. 28, 1965 J. -uc 3,226,003

CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 29, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet z l" Z80. 6ii W mmu.

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CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Filed Nov. 29, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a 32,/Z05/ l 9 Ml... m w- 1/ I I l 2 fl :35: Z5 mil /ww @61 INVENTOR. PM I 15066,

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United States Patent Office 3,226,093 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 3,226,003CARTON AND BLANK THEREFOR Robert J. Hickin, Seville, Ohio, assignor, bymesne assignments, to PKG Corporation, Evanston, 111., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Nov. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 326,718 6 tjlaims. (Cl. 229-17)This invention relates to a carton and blank therefor and moreparticularly to a seal-end carton having a discharge opening andreclosable means therefor.

Various cartons of this general type have heretofore been proposed;however, because of certain structural features such cartons have beenbeset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) the carton isof a costly and complex construction; (b) it is difiicult to render suchcarton leakproof and infestation-proof particularly in the vicinity ofthe reclosable means; (c) such cartons are not readily suited to highspeed production and oftentimes require special types of handlingequipment; and (d) such cartons are required to be completely set up bythe packager, thus, requiring the packager to have and maintain ratherextensive packaging equipment which requires substantial floor area toperform its function.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improvedcarton having a simple reclosing means which effectively overcomes theproblems and difficulties associated with the prior art structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved cartonhaving an integrally formed reelosable tab wherein the carton may bepartially set up at the time the blank is formed and subsequently aplurality of partially setup cartons disposed in a compact bundlesuitable for ready storage or transportation to the customer.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved cartonhaving discharge opening and a reclosing tab therefor wherein aneffective leakproof and infestation-proof seal can be produced by thetab in the vicinity of the discharge opening.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved cartonwherein partial setup thereof is readily accomplished by the blankmanufacturers utilizing conventional well-known equipment.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedcarton having a discharge opening and reelosable means therefor whereinthe reelosable means is formed integral and simultaneously with thecarton blank.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a carton offoldable fibreboard material is provided which includes a side wallhaving an inner lamina provided with a discharge opening and an outerlamina provided with a reelosable tab. The inner lamina is adhesivelysecured to the outer lamina whereby the reelosable tab overlies theopening and is in registration therewith. On the exposed surface of theouter lamina, the tab is formed by a foldline, a slit, and a first pairof spaced cut-scores interconnecting said foldline and slit. The tab, onthe concealed surface of the outer lamina, is formed by the samefoldline and slit and a second pair of spaced cutscores whichinterconnect said foldline and slit. The spacing between the cut-scoresof the first pair is greater than the spacing between the cut-scores ofthe second pair. Marginal portions of the tab are initially secured tothe portions of the inner lamina which are circumjacent the openingtherein. Subsequent to the tab being initially opened to expose thedischarge opening the end of the tab is folded so as to be inserted intosaid opening when the tab is moved to its reclosing position.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should bemade to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of improved blank and showing indotted lines the glue flap in its initially folded position.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the blank thereof in apartially setup, collapsed condition.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views of the blank shown inFIG. 2 in further stages of setup.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a seal end carton formed from the blank,shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of FIG. 5 showingthe tab folded open to uncover the discharge opening.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but showing the tab in partial reclosingposition.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the carton shown inFIG. 5 but with the tab in its fully reclosed position with respect tothe discharge opening.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the cartonshown in FIG. 5 and with the tab thereof in its fully opened position.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary plan views of two other modifiedimproved blanks.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, one formof improved blank 20 is shown which is cut from a sheet or web offoldable fibreboard material. The blank includes a plurality offoldlines and slits which cooperate to form an end panel 21, a pair ofside panels 22 and 23, and a second, or opposite, end panel 24 whichseparates side panels 22 and 23. Foldably connected to one side of sidepanel 23 is a glue flap 25. End panels 21 and 24 are provided with dustflaps 26a-26b and 27a27b, respectively. Side panel 22 has foldablyconnected to its opposite ends outer cover flaps 28a and 28b and sidepanel 23 has corresponding inner cover flaps 30a and 30b connectedthereto. The end and cover flaps at each corresponding end of the blankare separated from one another by appropriate slits. Foldably connectedto opposite ends of outer cover flap 28a are a pair of ears 31 and 32;the function of which will become more apparent from the disclosurehereinafter. The direction of the grain of the paperboard, from whichthe blank 20 is formed, runs from end panel 21 to glue flap 25.

Formed integral with and adjacent the upper portion of end panel 21 is afoldable tab 33. This tab is delimited on the exposed surface of panel21 by foldline 34, a slit or cutout 35, and a first pair of spacedcut-scores 36 which interconnect foldline 34 and slit 35. On theconcealed surface of panel 21, as shown in FIG. 1, the tab 33 isdelimited by the same foldline 34 and slit 35'and a second pair ofspaced cut-scores 37. The spacing between cut-scores 37 is less than thespacing between cutscores 36. The spacing differential between thecut-scores serves to provide the marginal portions of the tab which areadhesively secured to portions of the glue flap 25, when the blank ispartially set up in a manner as will be discussed more fullyhereinafter. A second foldline or cut-score 38, which substantiallyinterconnects the pair of cut-scores 37, is formed adjacent the lowerend of tab 33, see FIG. 1. The lower end of tab 33 terminates in afinger-grasping tongue 40, which facilitates initial opening of the tab33 and in some forms of the invention permits ready reclosing of thedischarge opening 40.

Glue flap 25 may be provided along one side thereof with a cut-out 25awhich is formed by reason of the arrangement of a like blank on thesheet or web from which the blanks are cut, and thus waste of the sheetor web material is negligible. Formed along the upper edge of glue flap25 is the discharge opening 41 which in the illustrated embodiment is ofsubstantially rectangular configuraton. In forming blank 20, the plug,not shown, formed by reason of opening 41 is normally removed; however,if desired, the plug may remain and be delimited by weakened lines sothat it will readily tear out when the opening 41 is to be exposed fordischarging the contents of the carton.

The elongated vertical sides 41a of the opening are spaced apartapproximately the same amount as the cutscores forming the second pairof cut-scores 37. The lower side 41b of opening 41 is disposed insubstantial alignment with foldline 38 when the blank is in partialsetup condition as shown in FIG. 2. An area 2511 on the outer surface ofglue flap 25, that is the surface engaged by end panel 21, is treated sothat the adhesive or bonding material utilized to secure the glue flapto end panel 21 will not adhere thereto. This area 25b is in registeredrelation with finger-grasping tongue 40, when the carton is set up, andthus grasping of the tongue to expose opening 41 and permit discharge ofthe carton contents can be readily accomplished.

In partially setting up the carton, as shown in FIG. 2, suitableadhesive is first applied by roller or other well known means tosubstantially the entire outer surface of glue flap 25; such surfacebeing that as exposed in FIG. 1. Because area 25b of the flap havingbeen previously treated, the applied adhesive will not adhere to sucharea. Subsequent to the application of the adhesive, side panel 23 andglue flap 25 will be folded as a unit about foldline 42 as an axis so asto assume a position as shown in dotted lines whereby the coated surfaceof flap 25 is exposed. Outer end panel 21 is then folded about foldline43 so that it will overlie the exposed coated surface of glue flap 25,see FIG. 2. By reason of the relative size of the opening 41 withrespect to tab 33, the marginal portions of the tab, that is to saythose portions 33a (see FIG. disposed between the correspondingcut-scores of the pairs, are adhesively secured to the portions of glueflap 25 circumjacent the opening 41. If, however, the blank is coatedwith a thermoplastic material heat is applied in place of the adhesivematerial in order to produce the bond between the glue flap and the endpanel. In either case an effective bond is attained between the flap andpanel because relatively heavy pressure can be applied due to thecollapsed or substantially fiat condition of the blank. This partialsetup of the blank is readily performed by automatic equipment andnormally immediately following cutting of the blank from a sheet or web.Following partial setup of the cartons, they are usually packed togetherin collapsed condition so that a large number thereof will occupy aminimum of space.

Once a customer has received a partially setup carton, the blank ismanipulated normally by automatic equipment into the position shown inFIG. 3, that is to say, side panels and end panels cooperate to form atubular structure. The lower end and cover flaps 26b, 27b, 28b and 30bare then folded and adhesively secured to one another so as to form asealed bottom end. Once the bottom end is formed, the carton with itstop opened is moved to the filling station where the product to bepackaged is deposited into the carton. Subsequent to being filled, theupper dust flaps 26a and 27a are folded inwardly, as shown in FIG. 3,and the inner cover flap 30a is folded downardly into an adhesivelysecured, overlying relation with respect to the dust flaps. The outercover flap 28a is then folded into adhesively secured, overlyingrelation with respect to the inner cover flap 30a. If it is desired toprovide an effective leakproof and infestation-proof seal for the top ofthe carton, a calking material may be applied to joints formed at theend panels by the overlying dust and cover flaps in a manner as de- 4scribed in Robert I. Hickin et al. United States Patent No. 3,007,376.After the calking material has been applied to these joints, ears 31 and32 are then folded downwardly into adhesive engagement with end panels21 and 24, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, ear 31 is larger than the tab 33, and overliessubstantially both pair of cut-scores 36 and 37. By reason of this fact,ear 31 serves to more effectively seal the tab against leakage orinfestation. In initially opening the tab in the carton shown in FIG. 5,the tongue 43 thereof is manually pulled outwardly and upwardlywhereupon the ear 31 and tab will move as a unit as the bond between thefibers forming the marginal portions 33a of the tab will be less thanthe adhesive bond between the tab and glue flap due to the pairs ofcutscores formed in the tab. Thus, once this initial seal is broken, apart of the tab fibers will remain aflixed to the glue flap, see FIG.10.

After the desired amount of the carton contents has been dischargedthrough the exposed opening 41, the tab and ear adhered thereto may bereadily moved to their reclosed position FIGS. 7-9. To accomplish thisresult, the tongue 40, is preferably torn from the tab along foldline 38and then, the distal or lower end 31a of ear 31 is folded inwardly aboutfoldline 31b. The distal end 31a by reason of its tapered configurationand its rela tive stiffness due to the direction of the paperboard grainmay then be readily inserted into the lower end of opening 41 and byreason of the friction existing between the sides of the distal end 31aand the sides 41a and bottom 41b of the opening, the tab 33 and ear 31will remain in a reclosing position with respect to opening 41 andprevent dust or dirt from finding its way into the carton interior.

It will be noted in FIG. 10, that fibers of the tab 33 will remainaffixed to the portion of the glue flap 25 which forms the bottom 41b ofopening 41. Thus, in the initial seal of the tab to the glue flap, thereis a positive bond created along the sides and bottom of the opening.The cut-score, not shown, but previously mentioned as aligned withfoldline 38, produces the weakened fiber bond of the tab at the lowerend of opening 41.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, modified forms of improved blanks 20' and 20" areshown, respectively. The blank 20,

shown in FIG. 11, is substantially the same shape as,

blank 20 of FIG. 1, except that ear 31 is substantially the sameconfiguration as ear 32' formed at the opposite end of cover flap 28a,and both ears conform substan tially to the shape of the well known VanBuren ears. When blank 20 is fully set up, ear 31' will not overlie thetab 33' to the same extent as in blank 20. Because of this fact,therefore, the tongue 40' formed at the lower end of tab 33' is not tornor removed from the tab prior to reclosing; but, instead is foldedinwardly about foldline 38 and then inserted through opening 41' insubstantially the same manner as described with respect to ear portion31a.

In blank 20", ears 31-32 of blank 20 have been removed altogether and,thus only the thickness of tab 33" itself serves to cover over opening41 of the glue flap 25". In reclosing opening 41", tongue 40" of the tab33" is manipulated in the same manner as described with respect to blank20'.

Where the matter of sifting or infestation is not a problem cut-scores36 may be eliminated and perforated lines substituted for the pair ofcut-scores 37. Furthermore, the shape and size of the carton, opening,and tab therefor, as well as the location of the opening and tabtherefor may be changed from that shown without departing from the scopeof this invention.

It is believed, therefore, that an improved carton and blank thereforhas been provided wherein a reclosable tab has been formed integral withthe blank and no special reclosing means such as a metal or plasticspout is required in addition to the blank. Furthermore, the blank maybe readily formed and set up by high speed, well known equipment and abond between the tab and the glue flap may be readily obtained whichwill enable the tab to provide a leakproof and infestation proof closurefor the discharge opening.

While several embodiments of this invention have been described andillustrated, further modifications may be made thereto, and it iscontemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. A seal end carton comprising a first panel and a second panel securedto the concealed surface of said first panel; a tab formed in said firstpanel and partially defined on the exposed surface thereof by a firstpair of spaced cut-scores, and partially defined on the concealedsurface thereof by a second pair of spaced cutscores, the spacingbetween the cut-scores of said first pair being greater than the spacingbetween the cutscores of said second pair and defining tab marginalportions; said first panel including a foldably connected top-closingdust flap, the foldline therefor defining in part the periphery of saidtab; and a foldable top-closing cover flap which overlies said dust flapto effect closing of the carton top, said cover flap including afoldable ear which overlies and is secured to the exposed surface ofsaid tab; said second panel being provided with an opening disposed inregistered relation with respect to said tab, the portions of saidsecond panel circumjacent said opening being in sealing engagement withsaid tab marginal portions.

2. A blank for a foldable fibreboard carton comprising a plurality offoldlines cooperating with one another to form a first panel and asecond panel, said first panel overlying and being secured to saidsecond panel when a carton is formed from said blank; said first panelhaving a tab and a foldable finger-gripping tongue integral therewith,said tab and tongue being defined on one surface of said first panel bya foldline, a slit, and a first pair of spaced cut-scores extending fromsaid foldline to said slit and on the opposite surface thereof by thesame foldline and slit and a second pair of spaced cut-scores extendingsubstantially from said foldline to said slit; the spacing between saidfirst cut-scores being greater than between said second cut-scores, saidsecond panel being provided with an opening, the latter beingregistrable with said tab, and the portions of said second panelcircumjacent said opening being substantially overlaid by and securableto marginal portions of said tab defined by the spacing differentialbetween said first and second cutscores, when a carton is formed fromsaid blank.

3. The blank recited in claim 2 wherein the said one surface of saidfirst panel includes a further cut-score disposed in spacedsubstantially parallel relation with respect to the foldline definingsaid tab, said further cutscore being disposed closer to the juncturebetween said tab and tongue than said foldline.

4. A blank for a foldable fibreboard carton comprising a plurality offoldlines cooperating with one another to define a first end panel, apair of side panels separated by a second end panel, a glue flap adaptedto be secured to the concealed surface of said first end panel when acarton is formed from a blank, dust flaps connected to opposite ends ofsaid end panels, and cover flaps connected to opposite ends of said sidepanels, said dust and cover flaps being separated from one another by aplurality of slits; said first end panel having a tab partially formedon the exposed surface thereof by a first pair of spaced cut-scores; theconcealed surface of said first end panel having a second pair ofcut-scores partially forming said tab, the spacing between thecut-scores of said second pair being less than the spacing between thecut-scores of said first pair and defining tab marginal portions; saidglue flap being provided with an opening, said opening being registrablewith said tab and the portions of said glue flap circumjacent saidopening being securable to and overlaid by said tab marginal portions,when a carton is formed from said blank.

5. The blank recited in claim 4 wherein the end of one of the coverflaps adjacent said first end panel has foldably connected thereto anear, said ear being adapted to overlie and be secured to the exposedsurface of said tab, when a carton is formed from said blank.

6. A carton of foldable fibreboard material having a discharge openingformed in one face thereof and a foldable tab formed on said face andadapted to initially seal said opening and, subsequent to breaking saidinitial seal, to effect reclosing of said discharge opening; said' faceincluding an outer lamina and an inner lamina adhesively securedthereto, said tab being partially formed on the exposed surface of saidouter lamina by a first pair of spaced cut-scores, and on the concealedsurface of said outer lamina by a second pair of spaced cutscores, thespacing between the cut-scores of said first pair being greater than thespacing between the cut-scores of said second pair, and said second pairbeing disposed between said first pair and in substantially parallelrelation therewith, the spacing differential between said pairs ofcut-scores defining tab marginal portions; said discharge opening beingformed in said inner lamina and in registration with said tab; said tabmarginal portions being initially secured to portions of said innerlamina circumjacent said discharge opening and effecting sealing of saidopening by said tab; said tab having a tongue formed therein foldablerelative to said tab, subsequent to said tab being opened, and havingsaid folded tongue insertable in said opening and frictionally engagingthe circumjacent portions of said inner lamina to effect frictionalretention of said tab in a reclosed position with respect to saiddischarge opening.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,947,865 2/1934Marsh 229l7 2,626,096 1/ 1953 Hickin.

2,742,220 4/ 1956 Lynes 229l7 2,760,708 8/1956 Phillips 229l7 2,819,8311/1958 Polarek et a1. 229l7 2,953,293 9/ 1960 Anderson 22951 3,096,0116/1963 Davis 229l7 3,096,922 7/1963 Graybill 229l7 3,133,689 5/1964Rossi 229l7 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner.

1. A SEAL END CARTON COMPRISING A FIRST PANEL AND A SECOND PANEL SECUREDTO THE CONCEALED SURFACE OF SAID FIRST PANL; A TAB FORMED IN SAID FIRSTPANEL AND PARTIALLY DEFINED ON THE EXPOSED SURFACE THEREOF BY A FIRSTPAIR OF SPACED CUT-SCORES, AND PARTIALLY DEFINED ON THE CONCEALEDSURFACE THEREOF BY A SECOND PAIR OF SPACEC CUTSCORES, THE SPACINGBETWEEN THE CUST-STORES OF SAID FIRST PAIR BEING GREATER THAN THESPACING BETWEEN THE CUTSCORES OF SAID SECOND PAIR AND DEFINING TABMARGINAL PORTIONS; SAID FIRST PANEL INCLUDING A FOLDABLY CONNECTEDTOP-CLOSING DUST FLAP, THE FOLDLINE THEREFOR DEFINING IN PART THEPERIPHERY OF SAID TAB; AND A FOLDABLE TOP-CLOSING COVER FLAP WHICHOVERLIES SAID DUST FLAP TO EFFECT CLOSING OF THE CARTON TOP, SAID COVERFLAP INCLUDING A FOLDABLE EAR WHICH OVERLIES AND IS SECURED TO THEEXPOSED SURFACE OF SAID TAB; SAID SECOND PANEL BEING PROVIDED WITH ANOPENING DISPOSED IN REGISTERED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID TAB, THEPORTIONS OF SAID SECOND PANEL CIRCUMJACENT SAID OPENING BEING IN SEALINGENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TAB MARGINAL PORTIONS.